Riquewihr. Alsace – Roger Bailleul

Analysis of the work “Riquewihr. Alsace” by Roger Bailleul

This painting represents the picturesque charm of this emblematic Alsatian village. Roger Bailleul, faithful to his realistic and sensitive approach, exposes the singularity of the colorful houses and the sunny atmosphere which characterizes this region.

What is immediately striking about this painting is the bold and controlled use of color. The brightly colored facades – green, red, yellow – stand out magnificently from each other, while maintaining a visual harmony that reflects the beauty and architectural diversity of Riquewihr. Each building, with its particularities of structure and texture, is rendered with meticulous care which testifies to Roger Bailleul attention to detail. The windows, the roofs, the wooden frames, everything is painted with precision, while revealing a poetic expression.

The composition, all vertical, gives the impression of sinking into the narrow alley, accentuating the feeling of intimacy specific to Alsatian villages. The perspective is finely crafted, inviting the eye to wander the street. A yellow house subtly attracts attention. The daylight, which bathes the scene, plays a central role in this work. It illuminates facades and creates delicate play of shadows on paving stones and walls, reinforcing the impression of warmth and tranquility.

The characters, placed discreetly in the scene, add a touch of life without taking precedence over traditional Alsatian architecture. The true protagonist of the work, these human silhouettes, reveal a scene of daily life in a peaceful village, where time seems to flow slowly. They bring a balance between people and place, perfectly illustrating the harmonious relationship between inhabitants and their environment.

The use of oil paint allows Bailleul to create rich surfaces, particularly on the facades of buildings and the vegetation that surrounds them. The flowers overflowing from the windows, the shadows cast on the floor and the slight irregularities of the walls bring a feeling of tangible reality, while preserving a certain softness in the treatment of colors.